Critical Skills Visa
South Africa

How To Apply For A Critical Skills Visa In South Africa

To apply for the visa:

Professional Body Registration:

• Register your occupation with a relevant professional body or council.
  
• Complete any necessary assessments to receive membership and a letter confirming your critical skills.

Qualification Assessment:

• Have your qualifications assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
  

Document Preparation and Application:

• Gather and prepare all required documents for your visa application.
• Complete the visa application form.

Visa Application Submission:

• Submit your application through the South African Embassy in your country of permanent residence.

Important Note:

It’s not possible to change from a visitor’s visa to a temporary residence visa within South Africa. The critical skills visa process differs from other visa processes. Professional body registration is a crucial first step before initiating the visa application.

Critical Skills Visa South Africa Requirements

Required Documents for a Critical Skills Visa Application

1. Completed Application Form: A fully completed and signed application form.
   
   
2. Passport:
   • Original passport
   • Copy of passport, authenticated by the issuing authority
   • The passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure date from South Africa.
     
     
3. Medical Certificate: A medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner, dated within the past six months.
   
   
4. Police Clearance Certificate: A police clearance certificate issued within the past six months from every country where the applicant has resided for more than 12 months in the past five years.
   
   
5. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: If applicable, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travel to or through yellow fever endemic areas.
   
   
6. Employment Offer or Contract: A signed employment offer or contract detailing the terms and conditions of employment.
   
   
7. Financial Undertaking:
   • With Employer: A written undertaking from the employer to cover deportation costs for the applicant and their dependents, if necessary.
   • Without Employer: Proof of sufficient funds (minimum R3,000) in the form of three months’ bank statements.
     
     
8. Passport Validity Undertaking:
   • With Employer: A written undertaking from the employer to ensure the passport’s validity throughout the employment period.
   • Without Employer: A written undertaking from the applicant to maintain passport validity.
     
     
9. Critical Skills Proof:
   • Proof of selection of a specific critical skill from the latest Critical Skills List.
   • Selection must be made in black pen.
     
     
10. Qualification Evaluation:

• SAQA evaluation of foreign qualifications.
• Sworn translation of the evaluation into an official South African language.
  
  

11.Professional Body Registration:

• If required, proof of application for professional body registration.
• Valid membership to the relevant professional body.
• Written confirmation from the professional body confirming skills, qualifications, and post-qualification experience.
  
  

12.Marital Status:

• Marriage certificate (original and authenticated copy)
• Divorce decree (if applicable)
• Death certificate (if applicable)
• Legal separation order (if applicable)
• Notarial agreement for life partnerships (if applicable)
• Affidavit for spousal relationships to South African citizens or residents, including proof of cohabitation and financial responsibility sharing.
  
  

13.Children: Full birth certificates for each dependent child.

14.Customary Marriages: Proof of a customary marriage recognized by the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998.

Critical Skills Visa South Africa Application Form

The official application form for a critical skills visa is the DHA-1738 form. This form must be completed in English and in black ink.

Please note: If you’re applying through a VFS Global Centre, the application process is digital, and handwritten forms will not be accepted.

The DHA-1738 form requires the following information:

• Visa Category: Specify the critical skills visa category you’re applying for.
• Personal Details: Provide your full name, date of birth, and other personal information.
• Citizenship Details: List your country of citizenship.
• Passport Details: Provide your passport number, issue date, and expiration date.
• Address Details: Provide your current address and contact information.
• Proposed Stay: Indicate the intended duration of your stay in South Africa.
• Financial Information: Provide evidence of your financial means to support your stay.
• Family and Dependents: List any family members or dependents accompanying you.
• Security and Health Questionnaire: Complete the required security and health questionnaire.

Critical Skills Visa Cost South Africa

Critical Skills Visa South Africa Processing Time

The standard processing time for a critical skills visa application at a South African embassy abroad is typically between 30 to 90 days. However, actual processing times may vary depending on the workload of the specific embassy.

Critical Skills Visa South Africa Duration

The maximum duration of a critical skills visa is five years. To maximize your visa duration, it’s recommended that you request a five-year employment contract from your employer. However, if the offered contract is for a shorter period, such as three or four years, your visa will be issued for the corresponding duration.

Critical Skills Visa Extension South Africa

To extend a critical skills visa, the applicant must:

• Maintain their occupation on the Critical Skills List.
• Keep up-to-date registration with the relevant professional body.
• Achieve a score of 100 points or more.

It’s crucial to submit the extension application within 60 days of the visa’s expiration date.

Critical Skills Visa To Permanent Residence South Africa

A critical skills visa holder who has accumulated at least five years of post-qualification professional experience may apply for permanent residency for themselves and their immediate family.